First, the carbon calculator will ask where you live. It asks this because some states rely on coal as a resource, which is generally a “dirtier” resource. Next, it usually asks you how large the household is. This way, it can calculate your total versus the entire family. The calculator will divide the estimate for your home by the price of the power in your area. This number is multiplied by the state emissions factor, which relates to the type of resource the state uses. Also included in your carbon footprint is transportation. The calculator will estimate your annual mileage, along with the car’s make, model, and year. The mileage is then divided by the efficiency of the car in order to determine the fuel usage. This number is multiplied by the emissions factor of gasoline, and then is converted to the pounds of CO2 used.

Finally, all of these numbers, along with a small calculation for air travel, are compiled together to give you your CO2 output in tons. Once you have this number, you can adjust some of your daily routine and purchases to make your footprint a little smaller.

Read the passage above. List the steps for calculating your carbon footprint.